His associate, who was injured in the shooting, is recovering in hospital.

A gangster in Bhandup, Santosh Chavan, alias Kaniya, was shot dead by a former associate in the Sai Hill area of the eastern suburb on Monday.

According to police, four men barged into the chawl where Chavan, 36, was playing cards with two friends, and fired five rounds. While Chavan died on the spot, one bullet hit his companion, Jamil Suraiya, on the hand. The other friend, Kumar Kengade, who was unhurt, has been made complainant in the case.

Police have launched a hunt for Amit Bhogale, alias Jack, 32, a former aide of Chavan who parted company with him a year ago. The other accused are Aditya Shivsagar, Milind Tambe and Rakesh Raut, alias Taklia. Police say Bhogale was keen to spread his activities in Bhandup, but Chavan might have stood in his way and hence was eliminated.

"The incident occurred around midnight. Bhogale and his men barged in and fired at Chavan. The first bullet hit a wall, the second hit Suraiya's hand and the remaining three struck Chavan," an officer said. "The post-mortem report revealed that Chavan was hit on the forehead, chin and chest."

Chavan had nine cases against him: he allegedly killed a youth in November 2006 and had attempted to murder an advocate in 2010. He was lodged in Nashik prison but released last year, following which he kept a low profile, working as a contractor in building projects and doing social work.

Suraiya, whose condition is stable, has been admitted to Sion hospital. Bhogale, who has several cases against him, was associated with the Kumar Pillai gang and had been arrested for allegedly murdering a driver and opening fire at BJP corporator Annu Manwani's house in October 2008.

The Bhandup police registered a case of murder and attempt to murder and are investigating. A parallel manhunt has been launched by Unit 7 of the Mumbai Crime Branch. - Mumbai Mirror Bureau